Basalt man faces indecency charges

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A Basalt man has been charged with indecent exposure in two separate incidents, once on July 4 and another on Thursday.

Around 8:30 p.m. July 4, two hikers reported spotting Joaquin Rangel, 57, of Basalt, sitting on a bench with his penis exposed, according to Basalt police. The incident occurred behind Taqueria El Nopal. A few minutes later, the hikers spotted Rangel again, this time in the bushes, where it appeared that he was masturbating, according to police. Rangel was charged with indecent exposure, a misdemeanor.

Around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, three separate hikers reportedly spotted Rangel in the same area with his pants undone but not exposed, according to Basalt Sgt. Stu Curry. One hiker said it appeared that he was urinating. Another said it appeared that he was masturbating. A third hiker, a female, who was walking her dog, said Rangel began following her while rubbing himself through his pants. Rangel was charged with another count of indecent exposure and issued a no-trespassing notice.